semester

1 of 2

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈme-stər 

1

: either of the two usually 18-week periods of instruction into which an academic year is often divided

2

: a period of six months

semestral

sə-ˈme-strəl 

adjective

or semestrial

sə-ˈme-strē-əl 

semestral

2 of 2

adjective

se·​mes·​tral -strəl 

variants or semestrial

-ˌtrēəl 

: occurring every six months or within a period of six months : of or relating to a six-month period

Examples of semester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The college said similar appointments for visiting leaders have ranged from a week or semester to as long as a year. — Nora O’Neill 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Students spend the first three semesters completing online coursework before transitioning into in-person laboratory instruction and clinical training. — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

The garage is expected to be finished for spring semester 2028. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

University President Michael Kotlikoff said its disciplinary process resulted in two expulsions and two suspensions of at least two semesters. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German, from Latin semestris half-yearly, from sex six + mensis month — more at six, moon

Adjective

Latin semestris half-yearly + English -al or -ial

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing semester

• semester hour

Rhymes for semester

• ancestor
• arrester
• digester
• investor
• protester
• requester
• sequester
• silvester
• trimester
• ester
• esther
• fester

Kids Definition

semester

noun

se·​mes·​ter sə-ˈmes-tər 

: either of two terms of about 18 weeks each that make up a school year